Andy Pettitte through the years

February 18, 2015 11:25 AM

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Andy Pettitte made the last start of his career Saturday nightat Minute Maid Park. He went the distance and held the Astros to five hits and one run. Here's a look back at the lefty pitcher's time in the big leagues. less

Andy Pettitte made the last start of his career Saturday nightat Minute Maid Park. He went the distance and held the Astros to five hits and one run. Here's a look back at the lefty pitcher's time in the big ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Andy Pettitte made the last start of his career Saturday nightat... Photo-5249248.70933 - Houston Chronicle

Pettitte made his major league debut with the Yankees on April 29, 1995. Once he solidified his spot in the rotation, he performed well - finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting and pitching in the second game of the ALDS against the Mariners in which he threw seven innings while allowing four runs on the front half of a 15-inning victory for New York. less

In his first full season as a starter, Pettitte was named to the AL All-Star team (he didn't pitch in the game because of a sore arm) after posting a 13-4 record in the first half of the season. He would end up finishing second for the Cy Young Award to Pat Hentgen, with the smallest difference in voting since 1972, in part because Hentgen pitched more complete games. The Yankees, however, won the World Series in six games over the Braves and Pettitte recorded a Game 5 win. less

Pettitte threw a career-high five complete games in 1998, and won his only World Series start as the Yankees dominated the regular season and the World Series, sweeping the Padres in the Series after reeling off 114 regular-season wins. less

The Yankees would continue their domination from the late 90's by claiming their third World Series title in a row by beating their cross-town rival Mets 4-1 in the finale. Pettitte finished fourth in Cy Young voting by amassing 19 wins (3rd in MLB) and tossing three complete games (seventh in MLB). less

Pettitte was voted to his second All-Star team in 2001. He was also named the MVP of the ALCS after posting two wins in the 4-1 series win for the Yankees. New York would eventually lose to Arizona in seven games in the World Series. less

Pettitte won 13 of his 22 starts in 2002, but the Yankees didn't have much luck after winning 103 games during the regular season as they bowed out in the ALDS against the Anaheim Angels, who would go on to win the World Series. less

Pettitte set career highs in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings (7.8) and tied a career high with 21 regular-season wins. The Yankees (101 wins), however, were beaten by the Marlins in six games for the 2003 World Series crown. less

Welcome to Houston. Wanting to be closer to his Deer Park home, Pettitte signed a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Astros. His first season with the Astros was cut short due to elbow surgery. less

After returning to the Yankees on a one-year, $16 million contract, Pettitte won his 200th career game on September 19, 2007. He also led the AL in starts with 35. The Yankees were knocked out of the playoffs after losing to the Indians 3-1 in the ALDS. less

On September 21, 2008, Pettitte was the last starting pitcher for the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He recorded his 2,000th career strikeout in the second inning. Pettitte admitted to taking injections of HGH twice in one day in 2004, using HGH obtained via prescription for his seriously ill father. Also in this affidavit, Pettitte recalled being told by former Yankees teammate Clemens in 1999 or 2000 that Clemens had recently received injections of HGH. less

Pettitte was dominant in the playoffs in 2009, going 4-0, and helping the Yankees win another World Series. He won games three and six in the World Series against the Phillies and became the first MLB pitcher to start and win three series-clinching playoff games in the same year. less

2011Retired for one seasonPettitte announced his retirement on February 4, 2011. He spent one year away from baseball.

2011
Retired for one seasonPettitte announced his retirement on February 4, 2011. He spent one year away from baseball.

Photo: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

2011 Retired for one season Pettitte announced his retirement on... Photo-5241434.70933 - Houston Chronicle

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2012Starts: 12Record: 5-4Innings pitched: 75.1Strikeouts: 69ERA: 2.87

Pettitte agreed to join the Yankees in spring training in 2012 as a guest instructor. He broke his fibula, but still managed to start 12 regular season games and two postseason games. The Yankees were swept by the Tigers in the ALCS. less

Pettitte announced on September 20 that he would retire at the end of the season. Mariano Rivera convinced him to announce it before the end of the season. Pettitte made his last regular season start at Yankee Stadium on September 22. less